Level-Dependent Audio Filtering for Hearing Loss Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for adjusting audio content on devices fail to compensate for individual hearing loss effectively, leading to an uncomfortably loud and disturbing listening experience due to broad-scale volume adjustments that do not account for frequency-dependent hearing impairments.

Innovation Solution

A media system that selects and applies a personal level-and-frequency-dependent audio filter, based on a user's hearing loss profile, to amplify audio input signals in a manner that compensates for specific hearing loss levels and contours, ensuring clear sound perception across various frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If broad-scale volume adjustment is applied to increase loudness, then the overall loudness is improved, but the listening experience becomes uncomfortably loud and disturbing across all frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveloudnessVSAvoiduncomfortable listening experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different gain levels to different frequency bands based on the user's hearing loss profile. Instead of uniform volume adjustment, the system selectively amplifies specific frequency ranges where the user experiences hearing loss, while leaving other frequencies unchanged. This localized approach compensates for hearing deficiencies without causing discomfort across the entire audio spectrum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the gain parameter of audio filters based on the detected hearing loss profile and the frequency content of the input audio signal. By changing the gain parameter selectively across different frequency bands rather than applying a uniform gain, the system achieves comfortable loudness compensation tailored to individual hearing needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If uniform volume increase is applied to compensate for hearing loss, then loudness is improved, but frequency-dependent hearing impairments are not addressed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveloudnessVSAvoidfrequency-dependent compensation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements frequency-selective gain adjustment by applying different gain values to different frequency bands. The system analyzes the hearing loss profile to identify specific frequency ranges affected by hearing impairment and applies targeted amplification only to those bands, rather than uniformly increasing all frequencies. This ensures precise frequency-dependent compensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The audio frequency spectrum is divided into multiple bands, and the system applies separate gain control to each band based on the hearing loss profile. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of gain for each frequency range, enabling precise compensation for frequency-specific hearing losses while maintaining natural sound quality in unaffected bands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If level-and-frequency-dependent audio filtering is applied, then personalized hearing loss compensation is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalized hearing loss compensationVSAvoidaudio filter selection and application

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs hearing loss profile assessment and audio filter selection in advance, before audio playback. By pre-determining the appropriate filters based on the user's hearing characteristics and storing them for later use, the system avoids complex real-time calculations during audio playback, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining personalized compensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preset hearing loss profiles that represent common hearing impairment patterns. Instead of creating custom filters for every possible hearing loss scenario, the system selects from a library of pre-configured filters that match typical hearing loss patterns, simplifying the complexity of filter design and selection while still providing effective personalized compensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11252518B2Media system and method of accommodating hearing loss

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 APPLE INC

AI summary

A media system and a method of using the media system to accommodate hearing loss of a user, are described. The method includes selecting a personal level-and-frequency dependent audio filter that corresponds to a hearing loss profile of the user. The personal level-and-frequency dependent audio filter can be one of several level-and-frequency-dependent audio filters having respective average gain levels and respective gain contours. An accommodative audio output signal can be generated by applying the personal level-and-frequency dependent audio filter to an audio input signal to enhance the audio input signal based on an input level and an input frequency of the audio input signal. The audio output signal can be played by an audio output device to deliver speech or music that the user perceives clearly, despite the hearing loss of the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.